The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

Appeal to be lodged in landmark GM case

The West Australian organic famer who unsuccessfully sued his neighbour for allegedly contaminating his crops with genetically-modified canola has decided to appeal the Supreme Court judgment against him.

When Steve Marsh sued former friend Michael Baxter, he alleged he lost organic certification for more than half of his oats, rye and sheep farm in Kojonup after GM canola drifted 1.5km inside the fence from Mr Baxter's property.

Mr Baxter claimed he followed all regulations on buffer zones and notified his neighbours when he planted the GM canola.

After a three-week trial earlier this year, believed to be the first of its kind in the world, Justice Kenneth Martin delivered his findings in favour of Mr Baxter, but reserved his decision on costs.

On Wednesday, Slater & Gordon, which is representing Mr Marsh pro bono, said a notice of appeal had been filed in WA's Court of Appeal.

"Details of the grounds for appeal will be filed with the court in due course," commercial litigation lawyer Mark Walter said.

Mr Marsh said the decision to appeal came after a lot of consideration.

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Separately, the WA government has made a submission to the Organic Industry Standards and Certification Council, seeking to lift the tolerance level for GM material in certified organic foods from zero to 0.9 per cent.

Agriculture minister Ken Baston said the department's submission supported "the coexistence principle to allow for organic, conventional and genetically modified production systems within a farming property".

The council said it had responded to the submission, calling for more information, and would next meet in August.